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Soun: RCCG Pastor Promises To Embrace 3 Religion As He Becomes Chosen Oba

Published

3 years ago

April 3, 2022

AS the selection of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, a Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, as the new Soun of Ogbomoso land continues to generate controversy, the Head of the kingmakers in Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobaloju Otolorin, weekend, cleared the air, affirming that Olaoye is the next king of the ancient town.

He dismissed the claim by the Laoye Ruling House that the family had not selected anybody to fill the vacant stool, asserting that due process was followed in the selection of the crown prince.

Otolorin, who is also the Aare Ago of Ogbomoso, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Ogbomoso.

The Head of the Kingmakers said what was being insinuated in regards to the selection of Olaoye was far from the truth.

He, however, said he had promised, during the selection and interview exercise, to embrace the three religions, namely: Traditional, Christianity and Islam.

It would be recalled that the Chairman of the Screening Committee for the Laoye ruling house, Alhaji Abdulwahab Laoye, last Thursday, disclosed that the family had not selected anybody, and therefore, called on the public to disregard what he termed as a rumour.

Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, the late Soun of Ogbomoso, joined his ancestors, on Sunday, December 12, 2021, hence the need to select the new king among the 23 candidates to fill the vacant stool.

Otolorin, while speaking further said many factors were put into consideration before a name was arrived at, insisting that no kingmaker collected bribes from any candidate and that the kingmakers acted in the best interest of the town.

He pointed out that Prince Ghandi’s name was on the list of the 23 proposed by his family, noting that the denial now was a surprise.

The head of the kingmakers emphasized that neither religion nor bribery played any role in the selection, adding that it was not within the purview of any ruling house to screen out any candidate but to present to the kingmakers whoever showed interest.

Otolorin said what the family could have done was to encourage the aspirants to step down for each other before it got to the kingmakers, affirming that the family had no legal right to screen out any candidate except on a valid reason like maybe he is not a true born of the family or he has a deformity.

“The problem began when all members of their so-called screening committee put the names of their children and nephews forward, because of that they couldn’t resolve it.

“For instance, their Mogaji had three nominees, the family secretary had his child, another family head called Cashman had his nominee, and one Alhaji Wahab (Chairman of their screening committee) had his own, every one of them. That is why they couldn’t resolve it.

“So, they had 23 names which they brought to us and we asked them if all of them are eligible and they said yes, that was why they sold forms to all of them.

“They forwarded the names to the local government in accordance with the law and the council sent the list to us which we consequently considered with local government officers as observers.

“That is where the assignment of the family ends. We invited them one by one to interview them and we found useful information furnished by the family on each of them.

“The first question we threw at them is that you knew there was more than one religion being practised in Ogbomoso- Traditional, Christianity and Islam, whether they were ready to embrace the three religions. Each of them said yes.

“We also told them it was not a matter of saying l have N10 million in my account, it is beyond that. In the first place, the palace is now empty you have to replace everything from furniture to the last thing.

“In addition, we informed them there were many court cases pending, the burden of which you would shoulder for years, we let each of them know, that whoever would rise to the throne would have to be adequately prepared for the financial burden.

“Furthermore, there are staff in the palace, most of whom are not being paid by the government but by the late Oba. So, we told them this was an additional responsibility and they all agreed, yes.

“We further told them that on Fridays, members of the royal families and others did come to the palace to be feted by the late Oba that there won’t be government assistance. All this is documented by the local government officers who sat as observers.

“We now went through their CVs and seriously considered, who had the wherewithal to step into the gigantic shoes, we considered their profiles meticulously, this is not a matter of saying l am a pensioner.

“However, before this time, their screening committee members and other clans’ heads were trying to approach us to seek undue advantage for their preferred candidate. I was ready to swear with the Bible that Ghandi never came here. l never knew him. I spoke to him for the first time on the day of the interview and he even used a face mask.

“Though, on the day we held the eighth-day Fidau of late Baba Soun also came and some people pointed to him that was another eligible prince but he also used a face mask.

“And then he came with former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he came to pay a condolence visit on the demise of the late Oba and again he used a face mask, so I never knew him.

“I am saying categorically that what we did was not based on religion, if a Babalawo had the best profile we would have chosen him. We need someone who is capable financially and who has impressive clout, someone who will not be taken for granted in the comity of Obas, Ogbomoso is beyond that, we need someone who can hold his own among other Obas.

“Then they talked about the issue of Abese not voting. He caused it, personally, l didn’t know the government did not recognize him, he had not gotten approval since 2019. I didn’t know until now when the government said he could not sit with us because he is not recognized.

“I protested but they brought out the vouchers from 2019 and l saw “X” consistently marked against his name, implying he was not paid. They said if he was not recognized by the government, why would he be paid?

“So, l pleaded he should be allowed to sit as an observer along with the Iyalode who is not statutorily qualified to vote. They were allowed. So, we chose whom we chose and on the second day, we forwarded the name to the state government. It is now left in the hand of the government, we are through with our own assignment too.

“I now heard they are holding meetings they would come and burn my house, let them come. They tried to bribe us but we rebuffed them, we don’t need their money we will do what is right, we told them. If an Oba is crowned and he deems it fit to do anything for us we will be obliged to take it but not to be induced financially.

“We don’t want a situation where we won’t be able to check the Oba if he starts to indulge in excesses after his coronation because we had collected bribes. That is why we turned down their advances.

“We had chosen in the best interest of Ogbomosoland. They now went to hold a press conference, which is of no consequence. No ruling house has power in law to screen any aspirant, what they can do is to cajole, appeal and encourage their princes to step down for one another they can’t screen them.

“It is only the kingmakers that have the power to screen. And that we have done and submitted the name to the governor.

“They can say whatever they like, it is water under the bridge. If we collected money, would l be free to sit comfortably in my home like this? I didn’t collect money from anyone, it is an unfounded rumour.

“Let me repeat this, all the Laoye clans’ heads, came individually to solicit for their children and we did not oblige them. Ask them. And they all promised to abide by the outcome.

“Now they are saying Gandhi is not their child. You put together 23 names and his name was number 13, you sold the form to him and you interviewed him at the Town Hall. And you are now saying you don’t know him. Yet, his father contested the throne in the past though you didn’t support him.

“I just knew his father and l were together on the Board of Directors of the Ogbomoso Community Bank, he (Prince Oladunni Olaoye) was made the Chairman of the board after Alata left. It is some of them told me recently that that was his father, just recently, it is the same people that are now saying he is not of their family again. Everything is in the hands of God, if anyone says Balogun would not sit with us we would have said it’s not possible.

“I told them if you chose someone not financially capable l won’t contribute a kobo if asked to. How will an Oba ask me to make contributions? That is the truth l will not lie, l am a Catholic.

“What money would you take that you won’t be able to sleep because of a guilty conscience? What we need is a worthy Oba and it is what we did. The other capable person, Lawyer Oyetunde, his Yoruba is not fluent, you will think that it is a Ghanaian that is talking but based on his profile he is capable too.” He explained.

VANGUARD

Related Topics:new Soun RCCG Pastor Soun of Ogbomoso

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Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume

Published

1 minute ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Education Quality Assurance, has commenced the monitoring of schools for compliance with standards as students resumed activities this week.

The OEQA spokesperson, Adepeju Adeyemi, said in a Wednesday statement sent to newsmen that the inspection began on Monday across the state for schools below the tertiary level.

The monitoring team, led by the Coordinating Director of OEQA, Remi Abdul, visited several schools, including Dolphin Senior High School, Lagos Island, where the team was received by the Principal/Director, Comfort Agunlejika.

Abdul explained that the purpose of the monitoring was to ensure compliance with the approved resumption date as stated in the Year 2025/2026 Harmonised Academic Calendar.

The PUNCH reports that basic and secondary schools in Lagos resumed on September 15, 2025, for the First Term of the Y2025/2026 session.

According to the approved 2025/2026 harmonised calendar made available to our correspondent, the First Half of the term is scheduled for September 15 to October 31, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. The second half will commence from November 10 to December 19, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. In between the halves are Open Day and Mid-Term Break.

Abdul noted that the monitoring team deployed was also verifying whether school administrators held pre-resumption meetings and whether key teaching and statutory records, such as lesson notes, diaries, and makeshift attendance registers, were in place for the smooth take-off of the new academic session.

“While addressing SSS 3 students, Abdul encouraged them to take their academics seriously, noting that how well they perform this term would determine their transition to higher education. He urged them to read well, stay focused, avoid skipping classes and begin early preparation for their WASSCE examinations,” the statement said.

He also encouraged teachers to remain dedicated and committed to delivering quality education.

News

Kano, Lagos, Oyo Lead As Over 60% Pass 2025 NECO SSCE

Published

13 minutes ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, with 60.26 percent of candidates obtaining at least five credits, including Mathematics and English.

Announcing the results in Minna, Niger State, on Wednesday, NECO Registrar, Professor Ibrahim Wushishi, said 818,492 of the 1,358,339 candidates who sat for the examination achieved five credits and above, including English and Mathematics.

He added that 1,144,496 candidates, representing 84.26 percent, scored five credits and above, irrespective of the two core subjects.

“The number of candidates that registered for the examination is 1,367,210, comprising 685,514 males and 681,696 females, while 1,358,339 candidates actually sat for the exam,” Wushishi said.

He noted that the results were released 54 days after the last written paper, held between June 16 and July 25, 2025.

Wushishi disclosed that 1,622 candidates had special needs, including 941 with hearing impairment and 191 with visual impairment.

On examination malpractice, he said 3,878 candidates were involved in various offences, representing a 61.58 percent reduction compared to 2024.

He revealed that 38 schools across 13 states were implicated in mass cheating and would be invited for discussions before sanctions are applied. Nine supervisors in Rivers, Niger, FCT, Kano, and Osun States were recommended for blacklisting over poor supervision and other misconduct.

He also confirmed that eight schools in Lamorde Local Government Area of Adamawa State had their examinations disrupted by a communal clash, affecting 13 subjects and 29 papers. Discussions with the state government are ongoing to reconduct the exams for the affected students.

Providing a state-by-state breakdown, Wushishi said Kano topped with 68,159 candidates (5.02%) scoring five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, followed by Lagos with 67,007 (4.93%) and Oyo with 48,742.

Gabon was the least performing centre, with no candidate meeting the benchmark.

News

Back To School: What Parents Must Know As 2025/2026 Session Begins

Published

15 minutes ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

As public and private schools across Lagos, Ogun, Kwara states, and various parts of the country reopen September 15, 2025, for the first term of the 2025/2026 academic session, parents are busy buying uniforms, paying fees, and preparing their children for a new school year.

But beyond books and tuition, education stakeholders are urging families to pay closer attention to the conditions in which their children will be learning.

From leaking roofs to porous fences, many classrooms across Nigeria still struggle to meet basic safety and learning standards.

These stakeholders are urging them to look beyond the excitement of resumption and pay attention to three critical issues that directly affect their children’s safety and learning: the state of classrooms, the security of school environments, and the problem of overcrowded classes.

Experts argue that resumption should not simply be about dates on the calendar, but about readiness: are the classrooms safe, are the teachers equipped, and are the children truly protected?

The Punch on Monday spoke with three education stakeholders — who shared practical concerns and tips for parents as schools reopen.

Infrastructure Decay
Hurts Learning

For the Head of School at Offspring Ilm School, Ilorin, Mrs Lateefat Alli-Oluwafuyi, one of the greatest obstacles to effective learning is the physical environment of many Nigerian schools.

She lamented that countless schools still operate with cracked walls, leaking roofs, broken furniture, and little or no sanitation facilities.

“A child sitting on the floor or under a leaking roof already feels abandoned by the system before even opening a book,” she told Punch Online.

“Learning should happen in an environment that affirms dignity and comfort. Unfortunately, what we see in many schools are conditions that undermine children’s confidence and discourage attendance,” she added.

She argued that poor infrastructure directly contributes to poor performance and dropout rates, as pupils are less motivated to remain in environments that feel unsafe and undignified.

Oluwafuyi urged governments and private school owners to prioritise urgent renovations, while also calling on parents to speak up and hold local education authorities accountable.

Security Must Be Non-Negotiable

In his own remark, the principal at O.LAMURS School of Basic Ethics and Ethnic Studies, Alhaji Muhammad Adeyemi, emphasised that security remains one of the most pressing concern as schools resume.

He warned that in an era of abductions for ransom and ritual purposes, schools cannot afford to take safety for granted.

“Many schools have no perimeter fencing, no guards, and no system to verify who picks up children at closing time. That is dangerous,” he noted.

“Parents should sound a clear warning: nobody should take their child home without their consent.

“If there will be another guardian, schools must document it and enforce it strictly,” he added.

He also raised concerns about the journey to school, pointing out that some pupils rely on tricycle operators, okada riders, or even unmonitored school bus drivers.

Some of these operators, she added, engage in reckless or negligent behaviors, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or substances.

“Parents must evaluate transport arrangements carefully. Don’t just assume a school bus is safe or that a familiar okada rider can be trusted. Vet drivers, ask questions, and insist on accountability,” he advised.

Overcrowding is a Silent Crisis

The Founder of Inventive Tutors, Osogbo, Mr Kabir Isa, highlighted the problem of overcrowding, describing it as a silent crisis that undermines education across Nigeria.

He noted that some classrooms, particularly in public schools, hold between 80 and 100 pupils at once, making effective teaching almost impossible.

“When you pack 90 children into a room built for 30, you’re not teaching — you’re warehousing.

“Teachers cannot give individual attention, children cannot concentrate, and the overall quality of education collapses. Even the health risks associated with it should never be underestimated,” he said.

While acknowledging that Osun schools will officially resume on September 22, he urged authorities to use the window to address overcrowding, even if it means splitting sessions or adopting staggered timetables.

He argued that reducing class size should be treated as a matter of urgency.

“Parents must ask questions about how many pupils are in their child’s class. If a class is overcrowded, they should demand alternatives.

“Overcrowding kills learning as much as bad infrastructure or insecurity,” he warned.

As Nigerian children settle into a new academic year, experts stress that safety, dignity, and quality must remain at the center of resumption plans.

For parents, the call is clear: do not focus only on fees and supplies — pay attention to where your child sits, how they get to school, and whether they are secure.

Because until schools become truly safe and conducive, the excitement of a new term will remain overshadowed by the same old challenges, they uniformly asserted.

Key Points for Parents

Inspect your child’s school environment: leaking roofs, broken desks, and lack of sanitation affect learning.
Confirm safety arrangements: ensure schools document who can pick up your child.
Evaluate transport options carefully — don’t assume buses or trusted riders are safe.
Ask about class sizes; overcrowded classrooms limit effective teaching.
Demand accountability from schools and local authorities.

(PUNCH)